Japan’s Nagano Employers’ Association visits EDB to enhance bilateral trade relations

A delegation from the Nagano Employers’ Association of Nagano Prefecture in Japan visited Sri Lanka’s Export Development Board (EDB) with the objective of increasing awareness over key Sri Lankan export products and services.  

The delegation was led by Yoshiyuki Yamaura - Chairman of Hachijuni Bank Ltd. and the Representative of the Nagano Employers’ Association and Koichiro Ichikawa - President/CEO of Fujikoshi Machinery Corporation and the Deputy Representative of the Nagano Employers’ Association. 

There were 17 delegates representing sectors such as construction, electronic and electricals, machinery and equipment, broadcasting services, petroleum products, fine ceramics, moulding aluminium, labour saving equipment, dry foods, geological and environmental survey, airlines, etc. and Japanese government institutions such as the Nagano Economic Research Institute, Nagano Techno Foundation and the Nagano Prefectural Government Industry and Labor Department.

EDB Chairperson and Chief Executive Indira Malwatte chaired the meeting and the EDB officers with expertise in the respective product sectors discussed the opportunities and potential of increasing trade between the two countries. 

Product sectors namely electrical and electronics, rubber-based products, tea, coconut-based products and services such as constructions and ICT/BPO were the sectors which received the most focus during the discussions. Both parties agreed to take measures to enhance the trade relationship between Sri Lanka and Japan, especially with the business community in Nagano Prefecture. 

The delegation is interested in starting import and export businesses as well as investing in avenues such as technology transfer through joint ventures with the Sri Lankan business community. Looking ahead, EDB is planning to organise an inward delegation from Japan in the third quarter of 2018.  

The meeting was coordinated by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO) in Colombo, the Japanese government-related organisation which works to promote mutual trade and investment between Japan and the rest of the world. Resident Representative Kazuhiko Obama and Chief Director Akiko Okumura represented JETRO.